conventional long form: Republic
of Liberia conventional short form: Liberia

Capital:

Monrovia. Population: 572,000 (census
2003).

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone

Area:

99,067 sq km (38,250 sq miles).

Description:

Liberia borders Sierra Leone, Guinea Republic and C?�te d’Ivoire.
The Atlantic coastline to the west is 560km (348 miles) long, of
which over half is sandy beach. Lying parallel to the shore are
three distinct belts. The low coastal belt is well watered by
shallow lagoons, tidal creeks and mangrove swamps, behind which
rises a gently undulating plateau, 500 to 800m (1,640 to 2,625ft)
high, partly covered with dense forests. Inland and to the north is
the mountain region which includes Mount Nimba at 1,752m (5,748ft)
and Waulo Mountain at 1,400m (4,593ft). About half of the country’s
population are rural dwellers.

Population:

3.2 million (CIA estimate 2007).

Languages:

English is the official
language. The main local languages are Bassa, Dan (Gio), Kpelleh, Kru,
Lorma and Mano. There are 29 African languages belonging to the Mande,
Kwa or Mel linguistic groups.

Economy - overview:

The civil war caused severe damage to the economy and, following
the peace settlement, reconstruction has been the highest priority
as the infrastructure is in ruins. In 2003, unemployment was at 85%
and inflation at 15%. Liberia's annual growth was 7.8% in 2006.
Around 70% of the population work the land, producing rice and
cassava as staple foods and palm oil, coffee and cocoa as cash
crops. The country’s principal export commodities are iron ore and
rubber. Some gold and diamonds are also mined.
The manufacturing industry (still operating far below capacity)
produces cement and other building materials, chemicals, drinks and
tobacco and consumer products. Liberia operates one of the longest
established open registry (flag of convenience) merchant shipping
fleets. This continues to be an essential source of foreign exchange
and government revenue.
Liberia relies heavily on international aid and financial support.
It is a member of the West African trading bloc ECOWAS. The USA is
Liberia’s largest trading partner.

Economy:

The civil war caused severe damage to the economy and, following
the peace settlement, reconstruction has been the highest priority
as the infrastructure is in ruins. In 2003, unemployment was at 85%
and inflation at 15%. Liberia's annual growth was 7.8% in 2006.
Around 70% of the population work the land, producing rice and
cassava as staple foods and palm oil, coffee and cocoa as cash
crops. The country’s principal export commodities are iron ore and
rubber. Some gold and diamonds are also mined.
The manufacturing industry (still operating far below capacity)
produces cement and other building materials, chemicals, drinks and
tobacco and consumer products. Liberia operates one of the longest
established open registry (flag of convenience) merchant shipping
fleets. This continues to be an essential source of foreign exchange
and government revenue.
Liberia relies heavily on international aid and financial support.
It is a member of the West African trading bloc ECOWAS. The USA is
Liberia’s largest trading partner.